New police commissioner has right idea

The Honolulu Police Commission’s hands-off approach regarding the federal investigation of Police Chief Louis Kealoha apparently doesn’t sit well with the panel’s newest member — and the public should support her stance.

Perhaps the addition of newly-appointed member Loretta Sheehan might influence the commission to rethink its stance on Kealoha — who was given a glowing review even as a federal probe involving him and his wife is being conducted.

There needs to be some serious discussion on whether the chief can lead the department while the cloud of a serious investigation looms overhead.

Sheehan, whose nomination to the commission was confirmed Wednesday, said she has spoken with Commission Chairman Ron Taketa and understands he does not want to interfere with a federal investigation.

“But at a certain point … the commission, as a group, has to make a decision … to step forward and do their own investigation,” Sheehan said.

Kealoha has acknowledged that he is the subject of a criminal investigation by the FBI, which the chief linked to a family feud involving his wife, city Deputy Prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, some of her relatives and the alleged theft of the couple’s mailbox.

And in June, the Kealohas sued the city, the Honolulu Ethics Commission and the commission’s former executive director and former investigator.

Sheehan told the City Council that it appears Kealoha has lost the public’s trust. Indeed, a recent Hawaii Poll showed Kealoha received a 28 percent favorable rating, down from a January 2015 poll in which he received a favorable rating from 35 percent of those polled.

Despite Kealoha’s low rating, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) received robustly positive responses, with 41 percent of those polled voicing “strong confidence” in the department and another 8 percent reporting “very strong confidence.”

Fortunately, public confidence in HPD hasn’t been unduly shaken by the troubles of its leader — yet.

At the very least, Sheehan said, the police commission should be having a public conversation about controversies involving the chief — and involving police officers who break the law — and we agree.

Regarding the chief, waiting to have those discussions until after a conclusion is made in the federal case would be reactive rather than proactive, and unacceptable.

The commission should at least be taking public comment on whether the federal investigation negatively affects the department and the chief’s ability to perform his job without major distraction.

A more forceful police commission is needed, one that is not afraid to publicly discuss issues that affect police morale, public confidence and public safety.

It’s hoped that Sheehan’s presence on the panel will help spur those conversations.